Battle of Montebelluna

The Battle of Montebelluna (22-28 July 1917) was a battle that took place on the Italian Front of World War I. The German Empire's forces launched an offensive against the Kingdom of Italy's forces in eastern Italy in the Province of Treviso, and the Germans massacred the Italians in a massive offensive that followed an artillery barrage.

History
The Imperial German Army arrived in northeastern Italy to support Austria-Hungary's weak forces against the Royal Italian Army in 1917, and the Italian armies prepared for more offensives as more Central Powers troops arrived. In July 1917, Christopher Roehr led an army of 4,968 German troops to launch an offensive against Lodovico Perotti's 5,880 Italian troops in order to break through Italian lines, with the Italian army being composed mostly of militia while the Germans included line infantry, elite infantry, and Big Bertha artillery.

On 22-23 July 1917, an Italian offensive was thrown back by the Germans, who responded with an artillery barrage. The Germans launched a very long artillery barrage, pounding the Italian troops as they formed a defensive line, and General Perotti was targeted in the barrages; he was uninjured in the attack, unlike many other Italian troops. On 28 July 1917, the German infantry began their massive assault against the Italians, forming a line within range of the Italian troops. The German redeployment prompted the Italians to launch their own charge, and the German infantry unleashed massive volleys of rifle fire against the charging Italian troops. Most of the Italians were unable to fire back before they were routed, as the German rifle fire inflicted additional losses after the artillery bombardment had ended. The Italians were eventually forced to retreat, and Perotti was shot in the back while fleeing. The Italian army was decimated, leaving the Germans victorious.